As dairies look to become more efficient in all aspects of their operation, the industry’s major breed organizations have answered the call by providing online cattle registration.

Crossbreeding has recently gained a lot of attention in popular press articles; however, in 2008, the amount of semen from non-traditional breeds (Swedish Red [SR], Montbeliarde [MO], etc.) imported into the U.S. was reportedly down from previous years.

Anyone who has spent time breeding dairy cows over the years has seen the reproductive changes that have occurred. Cows no longer exhibit signs of heat like they did just a couple of decades ago.

The doubling of milk production per cow in the U.S. in the last 50 years did not happen by chance. Research data since the use of A.I. in dairy herds enrolled in the Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) program clearly shows that selection for genetic merit for milk yield and the positive environment for feeding and husbandry are about equally responsible for this improvement in milk production.

Cows are known for their big, beautiful dark eyes. But University of Guelph researchers have discovered it’s actually the whites of their eyes that are important when it comes to determining their temperament.

World Wide Sires 2009 With the release of the April 2009 genetic evaluations, World Wide Sires adds 15 new Holstein bulls to our line-up, sired by 10 different sire fathers.

It isn’t easy to face yourself and see your weaknesses, but sometimes it must be done.

Rachel Kaehler Dairy Cattle Show Coordinator at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin

It’s curious why more cows aren’t featured on America’s Funniest Home Videos. Maybe it’s because we cow guardians always have our hands full of hay forks, reins, twine cutters, squeeze chute handles, syringes or up the back of a cow!